WHAT’S HAPPENING
Development is now underway on the 12-acre lot formerly discussed in Awendaw. An additional lot of 7 acres has been added to accommodate another field & additional parking in Phase 2. There are also Phase 2a (4 acres), Phase 3 (12 acres) and Phase 4 (69 acres) for a total of 104 acres. I’m not sure if later phases will be soccer-specific or how much land will be viable given grand trees and possible wetlands restrictions.

WHAT’S CHANGED
The new plans have been presented to the Charleston County Board of Zoning Appeals by Tripp Moye. The Zoning documentation, he is listed as “applicant and property owner, Tripp Moye of GBSC FDN LLC.” In 2023 filings for GBSC Foundation, Moye is listed as president, Hamish Burt as Director, and Lawrence Guffey as member.

Guffey is Co-founder and managing partner of his single-family office, LG Capital Investors, and founder of Twin Point Capital, the principal investment arm of LG Capital Investors. He is also a former Senior Managing Director for The Blackstone Group, one of the largest asset managers in the world.

Burt is Co-Founder and President of LG Capital Investors and Chief Investment Officer Twin Point Capital. It appears that, as of last year, Twin Point Capitol had ~$500 million in total assets under management.

Along with GBSC Foundation, Guffey & Burt also appear to be directors at another philanthropic foundation, Guffey Family Foundation, with about $12.4 million in assets.

Guffey’s former firm, Blackstone, has ties to another local soccer personality. Lou Salvatore, minority owner of both the Battery and the Miami Marlins is brother of the more visible Charleston Battery Club Chairman and Co-Owner Rob Salvatore. Lou Salvatore is a Sr. Managing Director at Blackstone. He and Guffey were both at Blackstone from ~2010-2013.

WHAT’S NEXT?
While it remains to be seen (by the public at least) what the plans/timing for the later phases are, these current plans may indicate a big win for folks in Mount Pleasant, freeing up Rec Dept fields for other rectangular field sports (Lax, Football, Rugby, etc) and thereby relieving some headaches for the good folks with the oft-maligned MPRD.

How this all translates into soccer field availability for one club, or many, remains to be seen. With multiple clubs/teams in the Charleston area making the regional playoffs in their leagues there seems to be plenty of talent in the area. Some clubs have already made progress by moving on from some of those causing division in the past. There is hope that these new financiers can continue that trend and shed decades of division and politics, bringing the decent people from local clubs together to create an environment beneficial to all kids. If done correctly, and with the right mix of soccer people (and links to the Battery?), this group could help unite Charleston soccer and put it in its rightful place in the southeast. In that effort, I am happy to wish them luck.